How to avoid Facebook Marketplace scams when buying a car

Facebook Marketplace has grown in popularity over the last few years, allowing users to buy and sell items conveniently. Generally reserved for low-value items, you will also come across more high-end items, such as cars and motorcycles. The ability to list for free is attractive to sellers but even more attractive to scam artists who want nothing more than to separate you from your hard-earned money. Don't fall victim to these scamsters, and learn how to avoid Facebook Marketplace scams when buying a car.

Related: 10 questions to ask when buying a used car

Identifying the threat requires you to think in unsavoury ways, placing yourself in the mind of someone who is trying to scam and defraud others. This may not be pleasant but is necessary to understand how you could be at risk.

 

How to identify a Facebook Marketplace scam

There are a few ways to help you identify a potential scam. Looking out for these tells will help you differentiate between a genuine seller and one that is up to no good.

 

• Too good to be true.

If a deal appears too good to be true, then it probably is. A price that is unreasonably low for the vehicle you're looking at may be being used to lure you into to making contact with the scammer. Compare prices for similar makes and models with the same mileage to get an idea of where the pricing should rather be.

 

• Sense of urgency.

Scammers will often pressure you into making a rushed decision. This is a common sales tactic, and scammers leverage the psychology behind urgency to pressure you into making a bad decision. If you are hounded to make a payment under the pretence of them having someone else interested in the vehicle that is coming to buy it soon, or limited availability, let that serve as a warning and walk away.

 

• Insisting on moving to another platform.

It is always wise to stick to the original platform for communication, in this instance, Facebook Messenger for Marketplace. Moving you onto another form of communication can sometimes be used to harvest personal information from you or to create misdirection. Try to stay on the first form of communication until you're certain that the deal is legitimate.

 

• Asking you to prove you're real.

Someone asking you to click a link or to send a code that has been SMS'd to you in order to prove that you are real and not trying to scam them is a common way of cloning your account, phone number or accessing your personal information. Do not click on any links, even if they seem genuine.

 

• Insisting on a deposit.

Sometimes, scammers are not after all of your money, only some of it. Suppose the seller is insisting that you first pay a deposit before you can see the vehicle or test drive it. In that case, they are most likely trying to scam you out of that deposit money and have no intention of selling the vehicle advertised. An ethical seller will be prepared to allow you to see or test the vehicle (within reason) without requiring a deposit to be paid.

 

How to avoid being scammed on Facebook Marketplace.

Keeping your wits about you in this digital day and age is of the utmost importance. The convenience offered by social media too often lures us into a false sense of security. Remaining vigilant and thoughtful throughout your buying process is of the utmost importance. There are a few things you can also do to help ensure a safe and trustworthy transaction takes place.

 

• Do research.

Doing research into the seller will help weed out those that are up to no good. Customer reviews on trusted sites like HelloPeter and Google Reviews will help give you an indication of the dealer or seller's business practices. Check to see what similar vehicles retail for so that you can identify one that is priced too low in a bid to attract your attention.

 

• Don't share personal information.

Refrain from sharing personal information, including your phone number until you are certain that the deal is genuine. Do not send copies of your ID or Driver's License to the seller to prove your legitimacy, all of this can be done towards the end of the transaction once you're happy that the vehicle is as advertised.

 

• Ask for additional photos.

You may ask for additional photos of the vehicle and even specifics to help you ascertain if the seller actually has the vehicle in their possession. If the seller is unable to or unwilling to comply, this should be a sign that the seller doesn't actually have that vehicle for sale.

• Meet safely.

When it comes time to inspect the vehicle for the first time, agree on meeting in a public place, such as a garage or service center. While this will still not guarantee your safety, the presence of security cameras and staff will help give you peace of mind. Consider taking a second person with you to provide additional security.

 

• Check the documents in person.

Paperwork can be digitally manipulated to appear correct or for a specific car. Checking the vehicle's papers in person will help you ensure that the paperwork provided is for the car in question.

 

• Consider using AutoTrader instead.

AutoTrader allows both dealerships and private sellers to advertise their vehicles to the public. While it isn't possible to guarantee the ethical business practices of each and every seller, the nominal amount charged for the listing on our site is a deterrent for scammers who are looking to make a quick buck off of you. We would still recommend doing some research into the seller and practising safe trading practices, as outlined above.

 

Click here to shop for your next car on AutoTrader